“We have worked very hard to maintain the integrity of this national team throughout all generations, and we are very disappointed that this standard was not upheld,” Horan said. “Our fans and supporters feel like this is a team they can rally behind, and definitely feel it’s very important for them to be heard and seen, and I keep feeling it.”
Morgan added, “We stand for maintaining a safe and respectful space, especially as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This platform is a platform we will never take for granted. It has given us an opportunity to highlight causes that are important to us, and we will continue to use this platform to draw attention to causes that are important to us.”
Morgan, who captained the team at the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, and Horan declined questions.
Albert, a 20-year-old midfielder who made his national team debut in November, is taking part in the training camp, which begins Monday and runs through Tuesday’s final day of competition in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. Soccer Federation said she practiced with the team for several days, but she was not disciplined, she acknowledged.
Albert, who plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain and appears to have a good chance of being selected for this summer’s Olympic team, apologized on Instagram last Thursday and apologized directly to his American teammates at the start of camp. .
“We have discussed this situation internally and it will remain within the team,” Morgan said. “But the other thing to note is that we have never shied away from tough conversations within this team.”
Over the years, many U.S. athletes have expressed support for the LGBTQ+ community and other issues.
Albert gained attention last week after his social media activities went viral. She reportedly reposted a Christian sermon on TikTok that said her homosexuality and how she “feels transgender” is wrong. She also liked an Instagram post mocking Megan Rapinoe’s reaction after tearing her Achilles tendon early in the NWSL Championship Game.
Many players on social media criticized Albert’s actions. Rapinoe wrote in his own post: “I just have one question for those who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’: make all kinds of spaces seem safer, more inclusive, more whole, better, and nobody’s business. Are you the best of them all? If not, because all you believe in is hate. And children are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake up TF!”
Rapinoe signed the note, “Yours Truly #15.” It’s the number she wore during her illustrious career in the United States, and also the number Albert wore at last month’s Concacaf World Gold Cup.
“Liking and sharing offensive, insensitive, and harmful posts is immature and disrespectful, and was never my intention,” Albert wrote in an apology posted on Instagram. ” he said. “I am truly disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt I caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone I offended.”
The former Notre Dame star represented the United States at the 2022 U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica. Since being promoted to the senior team, Albert has impressed with his footwork, decision-making and passing. She started five of the six World Cup games and played 90 minutes in the championship game against Brazil in San Diego on March 10.
